Rockland officials upset with MTA’s congestion pricing plan

Rockland officials are upset after the MTA released its new details on its long fought over congestion pricing plan on Wednesday.

Diane Caruso

Aug 10, 2022, 9:51 PM

Updated 852 days ago

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Rockland officials are upset after the MTA released its new details on its long fought over congestion pricing plan on Wednesday.
"It is a terrible idea and nothing more than a tax on suburban residents,” said state Assembly Member Mike Lawler.
Lawler, who's running for Congress this year, introduced legislation in 2021 to repeal the plan and urged more local state lawmakers to sign on. He argued the MTA needs to do more for riders in Rockland and to create a one-seat ride.
"With the funds, there has been no commitment to increase investment in Rockland County,” he added. “So why should Rockland residents, who already have a value gap, pay more and get less?”
New details say congestion pricing could cost motorists $9 to $23 to enter below 60th Street in Manhattan depending on which plan is chosen. The Traffic Mobility Review Board, which would decide the costs and exemptions, does not have a Rockland representative.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day wants there to be no charge or a discount for residents, many of whom he says work in the city as first responders.